New Year's Resolution... a half marathon

I don't usually do resolutions, but I have been wanting to do this for a while so I am just making it a resolution. I eventually want to run a full marathon... but this will be my stepping stone. I figured, if the big guys on the semi-final of The Biggest Loser could do a full marathon while still pretty big... I gotta be able to t least make the time to train for a half. ya know?

So where do I start? Any sites you can recommend with training plans? Right now I would be embarassed to say how much I un and in how long since I am no where near where I was a few years ago.

I have a personal coach and its doing wonders to my performances. Here's a link for a start, hope it helps.http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1801

I think you should start slow if you haven't ran for awhile. Keep adding more run time if you see improvements. I do a lot of aerobic workouts -- long runs. Usually, I put in 4 runs in a week -- 3 run workouts min 45minutes, max 1:30hrs ; and a long run weekend, no more than 2 hours. My goal is to run in a tempo heart rate with high cadence. FYI -- I also train for duathlon and tris .....

You should consider racing some 5k and 10k as benchmark workouts for the half-mary; especially 10k. A good strong core definitely will build a stronger run.

I just finished my first full (las vegas rock n' roll) using the runnersworld.com training plan. (http://runnersworld.com/channel/0,,s6-238-0-0-0,00.html). you can tailor it in multiple different ways.

My other suggestion is to find a training partner. It keeps you both motivated & makes the longer runs 'easier'.

Way cool replies.... and what a horrible pic! haha!Anyways, I got 2 days of running in... firstone a couple days ago sucked! Then yesterday at the fire station I took it night ad easy, and being a slower day I ran 30 minutes straight... probably pretty darn slow though. If I thad to guess... between a 9 or 10 minute mile. So.... lots of work to do. haha!

Great goal. I would say, go for a full...but you have to do what works for you. You can do which ever one you commit to. Since you said you wanted to do a full, why not?

Anyway, regardless...go to www.halhigdon.com. It's a great site. You pick the distance and your running level from beginner to advanced and you can get a daily/weekly training plan that will be great for you.

Long runs are the most important training run of the week for you. So if you have to skip a run or move your schedule around, make sure you get your long run in.

I'm planning to do the Eugene, Oregon Marathon on May 2nd. Not too late to start training for that!

First off, great resolution. No need to jump into a marathon---they take a lot of time and training and it's a much more sane idea to build up to it with some knowledge of your limits and abilities. There are tons of longer races every year so it's not like they won't be there for you when you're ready.

The half marathon is a tricky distance. It's not really comparable to a marathon because your pace is significantly faster and the demands on your body are quite different (i.e.: you don't really risk running low on glycogen in a half-marathon so you most likely won't be hitting any "walls"). It is a challenging distance as you're running pretty steady the whole way if you're racing for time.

If you've run any other races recently (do this if you haven't already---try a 5K, 10K or 10 miler) you can gauge your anticipated pace and goal time for a finish by using McMillan's running calculator. It's a fantastic tool for training and determining racing goals. Just turn off the annoying music he has playing when you reach the site:

The only advice I have (and I am not, by any means, an expert) is to 1) pace yourself in your training. don't go out and try to run 6-8 miles to start with. Start slow and build. Even if you go out for a 1 mile run that takes you 10-12 minutes. It might not seem worth the effort, but it is. 2) Don't forget about rest and recovery. They are JUST as important as the actual run training. That one I know from experience. I did two back to back races (saturday and sunday) and ended up getting shin splints in my right calf about two weeks later. That affected the rest of my racing season. 3) ENJOY YOURSELF! Training kinda sucks sometimes, but if you're not smiling during the actual race, then why even do it?

JaseinOC saidI don't usually do resolutions, but I have been wanting to do this for a while so I am just making it a resolution. I eventually want to run a full marathon... but this will be my stepping stone. I figured, if the big guys on the semi-final of The Biggest Loser could do a full marathon while still pretty big... I gotta be able to t least make the time to train for a half. ya know?

So where do I start? Any sites you can recommend with training plans? Right now I would be embarassed to say how much I un and in how long since I am no where near where I was a few years ago.

I am doing the same thing and picked up a copy of Marathoning for Mortals. Good book so far; has some solid advice and a good dose of humor where it helps. They have a website, too: http://www.marathoningformortals.com/

there's already plenty of advice here so i won't add any which would be redundant anyway. Just be on the watch for injuries : knee, feet fascia, shin splints etc. Worst danger is to take too much too soon . And experiment with technique .And throw in some trail running, sparing your joints and tendons on soft ground. Plus they're fun, with obstacles, lots of hills usually etc.

corridore said... using McMillan's running calculator. It's a fantastic tool for training and determining racing goals. Just turn off the annoying music he has playing when you reach the site:

hey, that's a cool thing, it's pretty close to my results over the past few years.

you know, i actually did bonk on a 1/2 marathon, my first ever. I have a high metabolism, i had a cold and at km 15 more or less things started going downhill. But i'm trying it again in May. This time , i'll conquer!

xassantex saidhey, that's a cool thing, it's pretty close to my results over the past few years.

you know, i actually did bonk on a 1/2 marathon, my first ever. I have a high metabolism, i had a cold and at km 15 more or less things started going downhill. But i'm trying it again in May. This time , i'll conquer!

I really like the calculator. It's not always spot on, but it provides some good benchmarks for training and racing and orients you toward goals.

I do think that there's a difference in "bonking" (I've been there too and it's pretty humbling!) and hitting the proverbial wall. The latter involves glycogen depletion, among other things, and it's literally the state at which your body has exhausted it's fuel supply. That really can't happen in shorter distances.

i've always treated both pretty much as synonyms, but i have no competence claims over the matter, just some insouciance .. :p

i've bonked (sic) , many years ago, road biking . I was kind of starting to bike seriously again and a friend challenged me . So we biked nearly 200km. About 25km from the end i bonked, I had to lie down on the side of the road, i just couldn't go on i was so weak. He had a few bites left of something and gave it to me and surprisingly within minutes i had some energy , enough to get us to the next corner store.

So whenever i get this weak feeling again, i associate it with that experience. It never happened in racing as mtbike races were usually 1.5 hours ( i didn't race Senior Elite , haha)

But possibly as you say in the 1/2 marathon it was more running out of stamina, mostly due to my cold and the humid heat... but i do feel a little better hydration and a little sugar would have given me an little kick.

I remember sometimes in races , maybe 20min from the end i'd take some flat coke and the sugar+caffeine gave me a boost to allow finishing stronger. But it's not something i took a habit of doing , flat coke tastes like sugared piss, especially heated in its plastic bottle splattered with mud , dust, grass... yummy.